Near-eye sequential light-field projector with correct monocular depth cues

Abstract

Light-field projector for projecting a near-eye projected image to the eyes of a user, comprising: a light source comprising a plurality of illumination point-lights configured for sequentially emitting a plurality of incident light fields; a spatial light modulator configured for providing a sequence of source images; the spatial light modulator being further configured for modulating each of the incident light-fields in accordance with the source images such as to project sequentially a plurality of pinhole-aperture light-fields, each pinhole-aperture light-fields carrying a light-field component from the source image; wherein each sequentially projected pinhole-aperture light-field forms an intersection virtual pinhole through which the component from the source image can be seen, each virtual pinholes having an aperture stop which is determined by the size of the illumination point-light and being spatially shifted in relation with each other, the near-eye projected image being seen through the plurality of virtual pinholes.

1 . Light-field projector for projecting a near-eye projected image to the eyes of a user, comprising:
 a light source comprising a plurality of illumination point-lights configured for sequentially emitting a plurality of incident light fields;   a spatial light modulator configured for providing a sequence of source images;   the spatial light modulator being further configured for modulating each of the incident light-fields in accordance with the source images such as to project sequentially a plurality of pinhole-aperture light-fields, each pinhole-aperture light-fields carrying a light-field component from the source image;   wherein each sequentially projected pinhole-aperture light-field forms an intersection virtual pinhole through which the component from the source image can be seen, each virtual pinholes having an aperture stop which is determined by the size of the illumination point-light and being spatially shifted in relation with each other, the near-eye projected image being seen through the plurality of virtual pinholes.   
     
     
         2 . The light-field projector according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sequentially projected pinhole-aperture light-fields form an intersection wide-aperture light-field. 
     
     
         3 . The light-field projector according to  claim 2 , wherein the wide-aperture light-field has an aperture stop which is determined by the size of the illumination point-lights and large enough such that the plurality of sequentially projected pinhole-aperture light-fields can enter at least partly an eye pupil of a user. 
     
     
         4 . The light-field projector according to  claim 3 , wherein the diameter of the exit pupil of the wide-aperture light-field is between 5 mm and 100 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The light-field projector according to  claim 1 , comprising an optical device configured for guiding said plurality of incident light fields from the light source to the spatial light modulator, and for guiding the pinhole-aperture light-fields between the spatial light modulator and the wide-aperture light-field. 
     
     
         6 . The light-field projector according to  claim 1 , wherein the spatial light modulator comprises a fast reflective spatial light modulator, a digital micromirror device or a ferroelectric liquid crystal on silicon. 
     
     
         7 . The light-field projector according to  claim 1 , comprising a display control electronics circuit configured for producing a sequence of source images on the spatial light modulator. 
     
     
         8 . The light-field projector according to  claim 1 , comprising an illumination control electronics circuit configured for providing a signal for controlling the plurality of illumination point-lights. 
     
     
         9 . The light-field projector according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of illumination point-lights of the light source are arranged in a one, two or three-dimensional array. 
     
     
         10 . The light-field projector according to  claim 7 , wherein the illumination control electronics circuit configured for illuminating a sub-ensemble of the plurality of point-lights according to a time sequence function. 
     
     
         11 . The light-field projector according to  claim 4 , wherein the optical device comprises a collimator configured for transforming the incident light fields into planar waves. 
     
     
         12 . The light-field projector according to  claim 4 , wherein the optical device comprises a first optical element configured for reflecting pinhole-aperture light-fields having a reflection angle larger than total reflection angle. 
     
     
         13 . The light-field projector according to  claim 4 , wherein the optical device further comprises a Fourier filter between the spatial light modulator and the wide-aperture light-field. 
     
     
         14 . The light-field projector according to  claim 4 , wherein the optical device further comprises a convex lens configured for performing optical Fourier transformation of the reflected pinhole-aperture light-fields. 
     
     
         15 . The light-field projector according to  claim 4 , wherein the optical device further comprises a second optical element configured for concentrating the reflected pinhole-aperture light-fields within the wide-aperture light-field. 
     
     
         16 . The light-field projector according to  claim 1 , wherein the source images comprise monochrome dithered images comprising a plurality of pixels, the density of bright pixels determining the brightness. 
     
     
         17 . Augmented reality device destined to be worn by a user, comprising a light-field projector comprising: a light source comprising a plurality of illumination point-lights configured for sequentially emitting a plurality of incident light fields; a spatial light modulator configured for providing a sequence of source images; the spatial light modulator being further configured for modulating each of the incident light-fields in accordance with the source images such as to project sequentially a plurality of pinhole-aperture light-fields, each pinhole-aperture light-fields carrying a light-field component from the source image; wherein each sequentially projected pinhole-aperture light-field forms an intersection virtual pinhole through which the component from the source image can be seen, each virtual pinholes having an aperture stop which is determined by the size of the illumination point-light and being spatially shifted in relation with each other, the near-eye projected image being seen through the plurality of virtual pinholes;
 wherein the point-light source and the spatial light modulator are arranged such that the pinhole-aperture light-fields are projected along the visual axis of at least one eye of the user, such as to reach the eye retina, when the augmented reality device is worn.   
     
     
         18 . The augmented reality device according to  claim 17 , wherein, when worn by the user, the point-light source and the spatial light modulator are arranged outside a visual field of the eyes; and
 wherein the light-field projector comprises a mirror configured for reflecting the pinhole-aperture light-fields along the visual axis.   
     
     
         19 . The augmented reality device according to  claim 18 , wherein the mirror is comprised on the surface of, or embedded inside, a transparent glass. 
     
     
         20 . The augmented reality device according to  claim 19 , wherein the glass comprises a see-through box comprising a plurality of elements; and
 wherein each element comprises an illumination point-light, such that the plurality of elements forms the point-light source.   
     
     
         21 - 41 . (canceled)